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Saab Turbo X to Debute at Frankfurt Auto Show

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:00:04 PDT

Saab will go ‘back to the future’ at next month’s (Sept) Frankfurt International Motor Show by evoking the iconic appeal of its classic ‘Black Turbo’ models.

The Swedish premium car maker will celebrate 30 years of leadership in turbocharging by unveiling the Saab Turbo X. This limited edition, all-wheel drive performance car inherits the visual appeal of the Saab 99/900 black turbos – while also introducing cutting-edge technology. This ultimate expression of the new 9-3 range will deliver standard-setting levels of performance for the brand.

Saab Announces Aero Performance Version of the Saab 9-7X

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:50:45 PDT

Saab takes SUV-performance to a new altitude as it announces the Aero performance version of the Saab 9-7X today. The limited edition 9-7X Aero will make its way to dealer showrooms early this autumn.

The Saab 9-7X brings unique Saab brand characteristics to the midsize SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles. Since its debut two years ago, more than 12,000 have been sold in the U.S. and Canada. For 2008, Saab adds the Aero model - the symbol of serious Saab performance - to the 9-7X lineup. The limited edition 9-7X Aero takes Saab's interpretation on the midsize SUV to an entirely new level accelerating the performance aspect of the sophisticated vehicle with a 6.0L V-8, 20-inch wheels and tires, unique paint and custom interior accouterments.

Ford Mondeo Named Auto Express Car of the Year

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:58:50 PDT

Ford's new Mondeo is the Auto Express overall champion of 2007; the car rated as the number one by the highest selling motoring weekly in the UK. Auto Express road testers recognised that the Ford Mondeo represents a new breed of family car and in addition to the Car of the Year award, Mondeo also captured the categories of best family car and best estate car.

Editor in chief of Auto Express, David Johns, commented: "The Mondeo delivers effortlessly, performing with aplomb everywhere. It steers beautifully, rides with a composure and smoothness that's absent from even the best German executive cars, handles tautly and has a great range of engines. It's also vast inside, beats its rivals for quality, is clearly laid out with great refinement and comfort levels to take the sting out of everyday driving."

Volvo Adds 2-litre Turbodiesel to the C70

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:44:38 PDT

The Volvo Car Corporation is extending the engine range in the Volvo C70 with a 2-litre turbodiesel - making this the first four-cylinder engine in the convertible.

"The four-cylinder turbodiesel will be a very popular choice, especially in Europe where it will account for 20 percent of total C70 sales. The engine offers a very attractive combination of fuel economy and driving pleasure," says Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo Cars expects sales of the Volvo C70 2.0D to reach about 2,000 units a year - which means that one out of ten C70s sold worldwide will have the four-cylinder turbodiesel. The first cars will reach the showrooms during autumn 2007.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils new DiesOtto Powertrain

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:12:53 PDT

The performance of a gasoline engine, the high torque and fuel economy of a state-of-the-art diesel together with extremely clean emissions: Mercedes-Benz has combined all the advantages of both engine types in its DiesOtto powertrain. The new technology package, which stands for the future of the gasoline engine, includes features such as direct gasoline injection, turbocharging and a variable compression.

iPod Adapter Now Available on GM Vehicles

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:58:08 PDT

General Motors today announced its all-new “Personal Audio Link” iPod adapter for Chevrolet HHR, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky is now available from all Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn dealerships.

Because great cars and great tunes should travel together, the Personal Audio Link accessory was developed exclusively for iPod and specifically for use with the factory-installed audio system in GM vehicles. Affordably priced at only $159 MSRP, plus dealer installation, the system has undergone extensive validation testing to assure that it delivers the seamless performance iPod users expect from their devices.

Coming this Fall: the 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:48:21 PDT

A factory-prepared 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan will debut in mid-October, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan is equipped with a high-performance suspension, forged aluminum wheels, aerodynamic body styling and a sport-tuned exhaust system.

"Honda enthusiasts have long been asking for factory-installed MUGEN performance products similar to what the company offers in Japan," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "We're enthusiasts, too, and the ultra-premium Civic MUGEN Si Sedan offers exclusive style and elevated handling performance with legendary Honda refinement."

Audi to Launch World's Cleanest Diesel

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:16:22 PDT

From mid-2008 Audi will be putting the cleanest diesel technology in the world into series production. The new TDI engines with their ultra-low emission system combine the spontaneous performance and superior pulling power of today’s TDI power units with outstanding fuel consumption figures and incomparably low emissions.

Indeed, they will already undercut the most stringent emissions limits that are to be applied in the future in Europe as soon as production starts. Just as the entire Audi range complied with the Euro 4 standard and the forthcoming Euro 5 emissions limits years in advance, the Ingolstadt brand is once again set to assume its role as the pioneer of groundbreaking technology.

Chrysler Begins Production of All-new 2008 Jeep Liberty

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:04:57 PDT

Chrysler Group today announced the production launch of the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty which is being built at Chrysler Group’s Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP) in Toledo, Ohio. The all-new Jeep Liberty is being built alongside the Dodge Nitro which began production in August 2006.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty continues Chrysler Group’s expanding Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS), allowing the Company to bring new vehicles to market quickly and efficiently; and enable its assembly plants to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line.

Ford Focus Coming to Australia in 2011

no@spam.com (Auto Tech Today) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:55:24 PDT

Ford Australia will add a new model line to its Campbellfield manufacturing assembly plant and create approximately 300 new jobs when it begins manufacturing the Ford Focus in Australia in 2011.

In doing so, Ford will become the first Australian car manufacturer to respond to the increasing popularity of smaller vehicles by producing the company's globally successful Focus small car alongside its current Falcon and Territory model lines.

Rising fuel costs and changing consumer lifestyles have created a dramatic shift in customer buying preferences with small cars accounting for 21.7 per cent of all new cars sold in Australia year-to-date, up from 15.4 per cent in 1998.

2008 Ford Focus